One of the keys to making your offense better this Spring is by looking back to last season.  I love numbers, I love breaking things down, I love stats, I love putting video on to paper.  So, this process is something I’ve always looked forward to myself.  I’ve been the Offensive Coordinator for all but one of the eight years that I was a Head Coach.

I will usually start our self scouting process in January, with the goal of having it all done by March 1.  Some weeks I’ll get a great amount of work done, and some weeks I won’t.  I like to be able to use some of my staff members in this process, but it doesn’t always work depending on their work schedules, etc.

Does this formation tell the opponent what play you're going to run?
Does this formation tell the opponent what play you’re going to run?

This list is extensive, it’s probably too much for most staffs.  You and your staff will need to decide what is important from this list.  But if you do this right, your offense will become more efficient next year.  Your staff will become better offense coaches, and your play calling will be more effective next season.

Here is a list that I’ve used over the years.

Run/pass breakdown
1st down tendencies?
2nd and short tendencies?
2nd and long tendencies?
3rd and short tendencies?
3rd and long tendencies?
4th and short tendencies?
Formation tendencies
     – Favorite formation to run out of? What % did you pass from it?
     – Favorite formation to pass out of? What % did you run from it?
     – Most balanced formation?
     – Running more to the field or boundary?
     – Passing more to the field or boundary?
     – Passing more to the strong side or weak side?
     – Running more to the strong side or weak side?
Motions
     – Effectiveness of motions?
     – Running towards or away from motion tendencies?
     – Passing towards or away from motion tendencies?
Right hash tendencies?
Left hash tendencies?
Inside own 20 tendency?
     – Pass tendencies?
     – Run tendencies?
Red zone tendencies?
     – Pass tendencies?
     – Run tendencies?
Goal line tendencies?
     – Pass tendencies?
     – Run tendencies?
Pass direction tendencies?
     – Do you pass to the right or left more or are you balanced?
Run direction tendencies?
     – Do you run to the right or left more or are you balanced?
Screens – what are your screen tendencies?
Trick Plays – how effective were they?  Any tendencies?
Effectiveness of play action fakes?
Top 5 running plays by yards per run
Top 5 passing plays by yards per catch
Top 3 screens
Worst 5 running plays by yards per run
Worst 5 passing plays by yards per catch
Wost 2 screens
Top 5 running plays to focus on reteaching this spring?
Top 5 passing plays to focus on reteaching this spring?
Top 3 screens to work on this spring?
Should you remove any running plays from your master play list?
Should you remove any passing plays from your master play list?
Should you remove any screens from your master play list?

Two more things to consider: your 2 minute offense and your 2 point conversion offense.

Many of these same principles should be applied to both of these facets of your offense.

 

Chris Fore has his Masters degree in Athletic Administration, is a Certified Athletic Administrator and serves as an Adjunct Professor in the M.S. Physical Education –  Sports Management program at Azusa Pacific University. He was recently appointed as the President of the California Coaches Association.  He runs Eight Laces Consulting where he specializes in helping coaches nationwide in their job search process.  Fore was named to the Hudl Top 100 in 2017, and the Top 5 Best High School Football Coaches to follow on Twitter by MaxPreps in 2016.  Follow him!